Jonathan Clayton

Jonathan Clayton, MS

Biography

Jonathan Clayton's doctoral research in civil engineering is ongoing and encompasses aging elements of water distribution systems with emphases on workforce development, arsenic intrusion due to leaks and system maintenance, and life-cycle assessment for optimal management. His undergraduate studies at LeTourneau University laid the groundwork for his understanding of how civil engineering can be used to glorify God in the realm of water resources. He believes civil and environmental engineering provide tools for participating in God’s redemptive work in the world and serve as ways to display God’s care and concern for the afflicted and disconsolate. He believes the care and wise development of natural and built environments give opportunities for believers to discover God’s creative work, rejoice in it, and appropriately steward the creative gifts and intellect He has given us.

Education and Credentials

• PhD in civil engineering, University of Alabama (Pending 2025)
• MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama
• BS in Civil Engineering, LeTourneau University
• Licensed Engineer in Training, State of Indiana

Scholarly Works

• Clayton, J. G.; Mejía-Marchena, R. L.; Jiang, D.; & Terry, L. G. (2024). Delayed pipe replacement halves environmental impacts but quadruples water loss. AWWA Water Science, 6(2), e1366.
• Dadashi Firouzjaei, M., Clayton, J., Jafarian, H., Arabi Shamsabadi, A., Thakur, A., Todd, R., Nemani, S. K., Sadrzadeh, M., Elliott, M., Anasori, B., & Terry, L. (2025). A perspective on MXene-enhanced biofiltration-membrane water reuse treatment systems: A review and experimental validation. Desalination, 593, 118198.
• Clayton, J.G.; Steele, E.; Terry, L. G. Train the Trainers: Do Researcher and Professional Collaborations with Teachers Increase Student Career Interest? – A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of STEM Outreach. (Accepted)

Interests

• Long-distance running, bicycling, and hiking
• Reading old books and fairy tales (George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, etc.)
• Learning new languages
• Learning book binding
• Collecting retro 8- and 16-bit games.

Expert Topics

• Life cycle analysis
• Water distribution systems
• Engineering outreach

Why Cedarville?

God made it abundantly clear that Cedarville was where He was leading me through provision after provision. Cedarville University reminded me of the discipleship and care that were invested in me in my undergraduate studies at a Christian university, and I feel blessed to work close to my family and hometown. I did not expect to begin working at Cedarville before finishing my doctorate, but I am overjoyed by God's perfect timing superseding my expectations. I am excited to be a part of a community where who we are and what we do are firmly grounded in our identity in Christ.